That’s why at age 60 he began a brand-new career yesterday as a city emergency medical technician.

The oldest “probie” to staff a city ambulance told the 72 other newly minted medics graduating from the Fire Academy on Randalls Island, “For most of us, it’s a first career, for others, it’s a second career. For me, it’s a third career.”

The Baldwin, L.I., native was drafted in 1970 after he graduated Hofstra. He liked the military and stayed 11 years.

By then, he and his wife had two kids. They moved to New Jersey, where he worked for AT&T.

Then beloved wife Carolyn died in a car accident.

He returned to Long Island in summer to take up a job he held in college – lifeguard at Point Lookout. It’s also a popular second job for city firefighters.

“We worked out together and their interests sparked with me,” said Small.

“So one day somebody said to me, ‘Bob, I think I’ve got an idea for you.’ ”

Small took the EMS test a year ago – and will join Battalion 26 in The Bronx.